Unity Church - Unitarian December Parrish Hall Art Exhibit– Scroll down to view these images –

The December exhibit in the Parrish Hall is by Unity member Richard Birger. This exhibit is about how our political lives are becoming more and more divided. We are becoming less and less cohesive and more and more tribal.

The following images are in a random order and from a variety of recent political and social actions and events here in Minnesota.

History

On Jan 21, 2017 an estimated 90,000 people gathered at the Minnesota State Capital in protest of the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.

Minnesota State Fair, Falcon Heights, MN, Aug 2015

After Public Works crews – the crows finished up

Following several days and nights of Black Lives Matter protest over the police shooting of Philando Castile in front of the Governor's Mansion authorities finally cleared the street of a protest encampment.

Planned Parenthood supporters have found that, though often lacking, humor is an effective tool in messaging.

Planned Parenthood, St. Paul, MN, Feb 2017

A 64 year old women's first tattoo

"Senator Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted." – Senator Mitch McConnell Majority Leader of the US Senate

"I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord." – Apostle's Creed

Planned Parenthood, St. Paul, MN, Feb 2017

The Gay 90's

Though the Gay 90's Bar had been a target of prejudice and harassment, it was also a living celebration of close friendships, and of profound camaraderie, helping to take gay rights from taboo to mainstream.

Gay Pride Parade, Minneapolis, MN, Jun, 2016

My country 'tis of thee

They had gathered at the State Capital to express aversion toward Roe v. Wade on the 44th anniversary of its passage. Many had ridden in school buses and motor coaches for up to four hours each way for a one hour demonstration of a strongly held belief.

Minnesota State Capital St. Paul, MN Jan 2017

My body, My rights, My fight

“It is time to renew the battle for reproductive rights. We have been outmaneuvered, outspent, out postured, and outvoted by a group of single-issue activists. It has taken them nearly two decades to turn back the principles of Roe. Let's make sure it takes us a shorter time to replace protection for reproductive choice.”
― Sarah Weddington

Following the death of Philando Castile in July 2016, Black Lives Matter demonstrators were at the Mansion for several days and nights.

"12" is hip-hop slang for the police.

Governor's Mansion, St. Paul, MN Jul 2016

Blue Drum Singers

The Creator told a little girl to bring two warring nations together to this drum, and it would unite them, relieving them of all the anger and rage they possess. The little girl brought the two nations together around the traditional drum, and explained what the Creator had explained to her – to play the drum together and unite. Anti-Washington Redskins protest.

The Pro-Life/Pro-Choice issue continues to divide us even after four decades since the Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Minnesota State Capital St. Paul, MN, Jan 2017

Conflict

"Black Lives Matter began as a movement about ending fear — the fear that many black Americans feel when it comes to interacting with law enforcement. That fear may or may not be justified, but it’s real, ..." – Ian Tuttle

Minnesota State Fair, Falcon Heights, MN, Aug 2015

“When one teaches, two learn.” –Robert Heinlein

"All of us, working together as MN Citizens Concerned for Life, have protected thousands and thousands of babies through effective education and legislation—and some of them stand among us today!" – Cathy Blaeser

Minnesota State Capital St. Paul, MN, Jan 2017

Who We Are

Often times it seems like the home made signs are more expressive of how real people feel than the printed signs, (always with a printer’s union bug), passed out by the special interest groups. Anti-Washington Redskins protest.

U of MN Stadium, Minneapolis, MN, Nov 2014

Half Staff

On July 7, 2016, a sniper opened fire. He shot fourteen Dallas law enforcement officers, five fatally. Two civilians were also wounded. The shooting happened at the end of a peaceful protest against police killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, LA and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, MN that had occurred in the preceding days.

St. Paul Police Dept. Edgcumbe Blvd., St. Paul, MN, Jul 2016

If you don't like the laws, change the people that make the laws

Recruiting new voters is the only way our political process will change, from within not from the outside. The alternative; pitchforks and torches, at times appealing, is not a viable method to establishing a stable society.